Hidden away in a corner of his house in London, Sunderland's manager possesses a yellowing newspaper clipping bearing the headline: "I hate that Poyet".

The complainant was Sir Bobby Robson, who had already dubbed Gus Poyet "the scourge of Newcastle" in recognition of the Uruguayan's habit of scoring decisive goals against the Tynesiders. Although his playing days with Chelsea and Tottenham are long over, the uncanny knack of undoing Newcastle has clearly survived Poyet's transition from pitch to technical area undiminished.

This was his second win against Alan Pardew's team since he succeeded Paolo Di Canio at the Stadium of Light and left his opposite number with the unenviable record of having lost the past three north-east derbies. With Jack Colback and the debut-making Liam Bridcutt excelling in central midfield and Adam Johnson and Fabio Borini impressing again in wide roles, Poyet's side played much the better, more considered football. So much so, it was hard to credit Sunderland are struggling to stay in the Premier League, while Europe remains Newcastle's aim.

Or at least Pardew's team were hoping for a Europa League place before Yohan Cabaye's £20m departure to Paris St-Germain last week. On this evidence, life without their best individual and playmaking catalyst promises to be horribly tough for Newcastle, who were booed off as travelling fans delighted in directing chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" at Pardew.

"I'm disappointed," said the home manager. "We lacked composure. We lost our heads and didn't make the right decisions or show the professionalism you need. We were rushed in possession. I can understand the fans' frustration. It's been a tough week and this is a blow that's hard to take up here. It will scar the season for us."

It seemed appropriate that three resurgent players in the process of redeeming once faltering careers were heavily involved in Sunderland's opener. That goal began with Johnson's delicate flick to Phil Bardsley prefacing the visiting right-back being brought down by Vurnon Anita in the area.

Borini stepped forward, sharing a joke with the referee before lashing the resultant penalty into the top corner, only to receive a ticking off from his manager for perching on a perimeter advertising hoarding with arms aloft.

If Poyet was worried about Borini's celebration inciting locals, Pardew had greater anxieties. They deepened when another cute flick, from Jozy Altidore this time, sent Colback accelerating into the box. His deflected shot was parried by Tim Krul but Johnson swept the rebound in from close range.

Dark clouds were gathering over Gallowgate but it was easy to imagine that, 12 miles down the road on Wearside a brilliant sun had suddenly lit up the February sky.

Pardew began with Cheik Tioté apparently man-marking the influential Ki Sung-yueng but Newcastle had evidently not bargained for Colback having such a good game. Behind him, Bridcutt made his bow in a quasi sweeping role between defence and midfield. The quietly assured former Brighton anchor looked anything but out of his depth, making one marvellous interception to deny Hatem Ben Arfa. No wonder Poyet keeps talking about how much he "trusts" Bridcutt.

Judging by his slightly stunned expression, Pardew's faith in certain players had been badly shaken. It was no surprise when he introduced the Holland striker Luuk de Jong – newly borrowed from Borussia Mönchengladbach – at half-time.

With De Jong not properly match fit, Vito Mannone remained under-employed but Sunderland's goalkeeper did save a capriciously curving shot from Tioté quite brilliantly. Sunderland, though, could easily have gone three up when, having dribbled beyond two markers, Johnson's curler hit a post with Krul beaten.

It would have been all over had Newcastle's keeper not saved at Altidore's feet but shortly afterwards Sunderland sealed a much deserved victory. Fittingly, the goal was initiated and finished by Colback. After dispossessing Ben Arfa he played a one-two with Borini then stroked a shot past Krul.

Cue wholesale boos, two angry pitch invaders and the sight of Newcastle shirts and season tickets being hurled at Pardew's dugout. In the course of 90 minutes the light tan gained by the home manager during the team's recent warm-weather break in Abu Dhabi seemed to vanish, leaving him shaken.

Poyet looked somewhat happier. "One of the best days I've had in football," he said. "It was an outstanding performance. If we don't stay up now it will be a shame."